
Broody Hens, Breeding and Multi-age Flock Raising
Right now, our star he, Frog, is brooding for the third Spring in a row. She’s tucked into a nest she claimed, and while…

Chicken Shenanigans: Natural Free Range Chickens and Backyard Mayhem
Have you ever noticed how many sayings come from bird life?
Don’t get your feathers ruffled
Don’t count your eggs before they hatch
Dirty bird
Silly bird
Can you read my chicken scratch?
All cooped up
I mean, clearly, chickens have had a chokehold on culture longer than we realize.
Anyway—today I learned something new: the angry version of the egg song? That full-throated chicken chorus? That’s not just a post-lay celebration—it’s a defense mechanism. It’s how the girls alert each other—and me—to danger.
Right before a Zoom call this morning, I heard…

Let It Grow, Let It Go: What Gardening Taught Me About Non-Attachment
Gardening is often romanticized as a calming, grounding practice— and it is— but anyone who’s really done it also knows that it is an exercise in letting go.
I didn't expect to learn non-attachment from plants. But again and again, the garden…

The Truth About No Mow May: What I Learned From Letting the Grass Grow
When I first heard about No Mow May—I was all in. The concept is simple and well-intentioned: hold off on mowing your lawn to help pollinators emerge from the leaf litter and early spring ground cover. Sounds wonderful, right?
And in theory, it is…

“What a nice view for a garden!”
Those were the words that my neighbor enthusiastically yelled to me today as she rode by on her bike. While the wind was biting and cold, I couldn’t keep myself from getting out there to do time sensitive work of…

Join the Adventure with Friends of the Garden Membership!
Join the Friends of the Garden Club and unlock a world of exclusive, enriching experiences in a unique, intimate setting. As a member, you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, including hands-on workshops, serene nature outings, and special events—all designed to nourish your soul and deepen your connection with nature. Discover the magic and camaraderie in our garden sanctuary.

Patience, Cleaning, and Garden Planning
Garden Layout for a Purple and Gold Themed Garden Bed. Suitable for Vermont Zone 5a or 4b, using mostly Vermont natives.
Starting herbs indoors for mass plantings in the summer in Vermont
Why I’m Skipping Most Indoor Seed-Starting in Vermont (But Not All)
Indoor Seed Starting Part II: Going Deeper into the Process
Indoor Seed Starting Part I: Master the Art of Pregaming

Why I’m shopping for Seeds in the Middle of a Snowstorm—And why you should, too.
The Seeds You Need to Start Indoors
If you wait until it’s warm to start certain crops, you’ll never get a harvest before the first frost sneaks back in. Tomatoes and peppers are non-negotiable for early indoor starts. Unlike fast-growing crops that can be direct sown, tomatoes and peppers need time—and in Vermont, planting them straight into the ground just isn’t an option.
That’s why I’m doing my seed shopping now.